Cigar bunch and method and apparatus for making same



i & HENRY H. WHEELER Jan. 1, 1957 H WHEELER 2,775,969

CIGAR BUNCH AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME Filed Jan. 19. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR B 0 zTToRNEY Jan. I, 1957 H. H. WHEELER 2,775,969

CIGAR BUNCH AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME Filed Jan. 19. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2.

INVENTOR HENRY H. WHEELER SQ 5 Z1 P ATTORNEY H. H. WHEELER 2,7 75,969 4 THOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SA 7 Jan. 1, 1957 CIGAR BUNCH AND ME 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 19, 1956 INVENTOR HENRY H. WHEELER ATTO RN'EY Jain. 1, 1957 H. H. WHEELER CIGAR BUNCH AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME Filed .Jan. 19 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 B 4 24 W 150 0 14 o p g-151 'd 142 l 1i f q 143) INVENTORE HENRY H. WHEELER B I ATTORNEY i Jan. 1, 1957 H. H. WHEELER 2,775,969

CIGAR BUNCH AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME Filed Jan. 19 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 8

INVENTOR HENRY H. WHEELER a ATTORNEY CIGAR BUNCH .METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SAME Henry H. Wheeler, .Bellerose, N; Y., .assignor to International Cigar Machinery Co., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 19, 1950, Seria'l No. 1395393 21 Claims. (Cl. 131-14) This invention relates to filler feedmechanisms for cigar machines.

One of the principal objects is to advance a single layer of tobacco leaves into a bunch former wherein the leaves are curled around themselves to .-a uniform density.

A further object of the invention is to provide :a mechanism for obtaining a predetermined uniform density in such rolled cigar bunches.

Still another object is -.to retain :the .cur'led conformation of the bunch during transfer :to the ihinder applying position of a cigar machine.

Another object is to feed .a single layer-of leavesand/ or leaf portions selectively :to a bunch forming mechanism.

Still another object is to provide a methodiof feeding and rolling a cigar bunch wherein the tip of the tobacco leaf is positioned in the tuck end of :the cigar. "This :is

highly desirable because the tip of :the leaf contains the sweeter and milder tobacco.

Patented Jan. 1, 1951 .2 Fig. ,3 is .an isometric View, partly i-n section, illustrating the bunch forming mechanism; v

Figs. 4, 4a, 5 and 6 are sectional side elevations of the bunch forming mechanism illustrating the successive steps 'Still another object is that thecenter leafltobacco be 7 also positioned at the tuck end while stern endxtobacco :is only positioned at the head end. Heretofore, with the conventional cross feed type itwas impossible :to prevent placing the less desirable stem end of the leaf at the tuck end of the cigar. 7

Still another object is to prevent the occurrence of shorts by providing a means for assuring that each lamina of the rolled bunch-consists of asingle leaf portion extending throughout the length of the cigar.

Another object is to provide .a method whereby a perfect blend of two or more types of leaves may be made so that said blend will extend uniformly throughout the length of the cigar. Thus, by providing a method whereby a single leaf may be positioned on acigar .bunch, it now becomes possible, with my invention, to avoid spotty" blends and achieve uniform high-quality :blends of longer filler tobacco.

employed in forming and transferring .a cigar bunch;

Fig. 7 is an isometric and exploded view showing the detailed construction-of the rotary corrugated cutter; and Fig. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the operating controls of the tobacco filler-feed mechanism.

With reference to the drawings, side walls '26 support a horizontal feed table 10, from which tobacco leaves T are guided manually sideways through *a pair of horizontal feed rollers 12 and 14 into a bunch forming cage 16,

where the leaves are coiled or rolled into a cylindrical tobacco bunch filler charge. When a bunch is formed it is delivered to a transfer device 1%,"Which in turn deposits said bunch in the pocket of the rolling apron of the cigar machine.

One end of the feed table 10 is provided with a plurality of spaced upwardly curved guide fingers 20. These project through the recesses 13 of the lower feed roller 14 and are concentric with the outer periphery of the upper feed roller 12, thereby forming a narrow channel 11 (Figs. 4, '5 :and 6') .through which the tobacco leaves T are guided into the bunch forming cage 16.

The lower feed roller 14 is secured on a'sha'ft 24, which is supported in a pair of suitable bearings of side frames 26. Adjacent one end *of the lower feed roller 14 is mounted a rotary corrugated cutter which cuts predetermined lengths of the passing tobacco leaves T by means of engagement with an abutment roller 32 fastened on and contiguous with the upper roller shaft 22.

The rotary cutter 30 consists of an annular corrugated knife 33 and a pair of knife supports 31 and 35, which are mounted on shaft 24, and rigidly support the knife 33 between them (Figs. '3 and 7).

It is an object of the invention to provide means for selecting the position that various portions=of the tobacco formly corrugated cuts from a single rotary cutting element at the respective ends of the bunch, thereby ensuring uniform regularity.

Thus, the principal objects of this invention are to sidefeed a single leaf of tobacco and sever in a corrugated former wherein the leaf portions =will becurled on *themselves and transferred in this curled conformation to the binding position. Other objects and advantages will appear from the ensuing description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. l is a side elevation of the tobacco filler feed mechanism; Fig. 2 is an end elevation ofthe same taken on line 2-2'of Fig. l;

The upper feed roller 12 is mounted on shaft 22, which is supported in a suitable bearing in one of the side frames 26 and an adjustable bearing bracket 28 (Figs. land 2). Bracket 28 is mounted on pivot 29 protruding from a lug 25 of side frames 26. One end of bridge 52 is secured on the top of bracket 28.

Since bracket 23 also supports that end of the upper roller shaft 22 to which the abutment roller 32 is fastened, the pressure between knife 33 and abutment roller 32 may be variedto adesirable degree by adjusting the screw 34 in extension 27 of bracket 28 (Fig. l).

Shafts 22 and 24 carrying the feed rollers 12 and 14 respectively are continuously driven by means of a suitable motor 40, the motor' shaft 39 of which carries a sprocket 38 which by means of a chain 42 drives a sprocket 36 mounted on shaft 24. To the latter is also secured a-gear 44 which meshes with a gear 46 on shaft 22.

To the upper surface of feed table 10 is attached an adjustable guide rail 15- As the tobacco leaves T are manually guided sideways through the feed rollers '12 and 14, the tip or foremost end of the leaf T is guided along rail 15 to assure that a portion of proper and uniform length is cut-off by the rotarycutter 30. The length of said leaf portion corresponds with the desired length i of the cigar bunch (Fig. 3); manner a single portion therefrom as it is fed into a bunch placed on feed table 10 with the corrugations Crouching the guide rail 15, and fed through the feed rollers in like m'anner'(Fig. 3).

Since the distance between the guide "rail 15 and the cutter Slldet'ermines 'the length of the portion of theleaf T that is cut ofif, and consequently the length of the cigar bunch, different lengths may be obtained by resetting the guide rail 15 to the desired position.

That particular leaf portion which is in engagement with the feed rollers 12 and 14 and cut from the rest of the tobacco leaf T as described above is conveyed by said rollers into a cylindrically shaped bunch forming cage 16, assisted by the aforementioned guide fingers 20.

The bunch forming cage 16 consists of upper and lower jaws 54 and 56, which are connected to each other in a hinge-like fashion by means of a horizontal stud or pin 58, the protruding ends of which are pivotally supported in suitable bearings of one of the side frames 26 and the bracket 28.

The upper bunch forming jaw'54 consists of a plurality of curved fingers 60, extending in rake-like fashion from a cross-bar 62 which is also provided with a plurality of lugs 64 which engage with the hinge pin 58 (Figs. 2 and 3). In the bunch forming position the ends of fingers 60 extend into recesses 11 of upper feed roller 12.

The lower bunch forming jaw 56 is of similar construction and is also equipped with a plurality of rake-like fingers 66, and is hinged to pin 58 by lugs 68 (Figs. 2 and 3). Fingers 60 and 66 of the upper and lower jaws 54 and 56 respectively, when in closed position, form a cylindrical cage with the free ends of said fingers forming a narrow slot through which the cut leaf portions are fed into said cage.

Lower jaw 56 carries a shaft 70, which protrudes through the fingers 66 to project from both ends of the jaw. Fastened on shaft 70 and properly located in the spaces between the fingers 66 are knurled rollers 72, which slightly protrude into cage 16 for the purpose of eliminating friction and facilitating the coiling movement of the leaves as the latter are fed into the cage.

To further reduce the friction of the leaves in the cage and assist in producing a cylindrical bunch charge two additional sets of similarly spaced rollers 74 and 76 protrude into said cage. Rollers 74 are mounted on the hinge pin 58 and occupy the spaces between the adjoining pair of the lugs 64 and 68 while rollers 76 are mounted on shaft 78 whose ends are journaled in one of the frames 26 and bracket 28. Rollers 76 are appropriately spaced to accomodate fingers 60 of the upper jaw 54 when the cage 16 is in the leaf receiving position (Figs. 3, 4, and 6).

Each set of rollers 72, 74 and 76 are constantly rotated in the proper direction by means of a suitable gear train 80 constructed and arranged to drive shafts 70, 58 and 78 from gear 46 mounted on the upper feed roller shaft 22 (Figs. 2 and 3).

Cage 16 is operated by two actuating arms 94 and 96 which are mounted on shaft 70. The actuating arm 94 is pivoted to a stud 95 carried by a free end of a cam lever 100 which is secured to a shaft 102 supported in suitable bearings on said frames 26 (Figs. 1 and 2). In similar manner, the actuating arm 96 is pivoted to a stud 105 carried by the free end of arm 104 which like cam lever 100 is secured to shaft 102.

Both studs 95 and 105 are engaged by elongated slots 97 in the actuating arms 94 and 96 respectively, the purpose of elongating these slots will be hereinafter shown. Cam lever 100 carries a cam roller 101 which engages with a cam track 107 of a cam 106 mounted on shaft 108.

Since cam lever 100 and arm 104 are secured to the same shaft 102 any movement given to cam lever 100 by cam 106 will also be given the arm 104. Cam 106 thus controls the motions of actuating arms 94 and 96 (Figs. 1 and 2).

Both bunch forming jaws are provided each at the same end with radial steps. The upper jaw 54 has a step 98 and the lower jaw 56 a step 99 (Fig. 3). Each of these opposed steps consists of two faces, at angles to 2 each other. Depending on the movements of the jaws relative to one another a face of step 98 will meet a face of step 99 and stop the movement (Figs. 4, 5, and 6). During the bunch forming operation, lower jaw 56 is supported by actuating arms 94 and 96. The step 98 of upper jaw 54 then rests on step 99 of lower jaw 56 thereby supporting upper jaw 54 (Fig. 4).

Also while the cage 16 is in the bunch forming position, the fingers 60 of the upper jaw 54 are between the rollers 76. The fingers 60 do not touch shaft 7 8 or rollers 76, however, the upward movement of jaw 54 is limited by a stop pin 61 located in bracket 28 that contacts cross bar 62.

Actuating arm 96 is provided with an extension 103, engaged by a spring 112. One end of spring 112 is attached to extension 103 while the other end is secured to a member 115 engaged with the threaded portion of a rod 114 loosely mounted in a bracket fastened to one of the frames 26. Rod 114 is provided with a knob 116 and the tension in the spring can be adjusted by turning the knob clockwise or counterclockwise (Fig. l).

Extension 103, in combination with spring 112, is provided for the purpose of actuating a two-way microswitch 110, mounted on one of frames 26, the function of which will be described hereinafter. The elongated slot 97 in actuating arm 96 enables the spring 112 to keep the free end of extension 103 in contact with a trigger button of switch 110 when the cage 16 is in the bunch forming position (Fig. 1).

As mentioned heretofore, the tobacco leaves fed into the cage 16 coil or roll to form a cylindrical roll or bunch B which, due to the restricted inner dimensions of the cage, becomes more compact or of a greater density as more tobacco leaves are fed into said cage. A point is finally reached where the bunch begins to exert a slight pressure on the inner surface of the cage (Fig. 4).

This pressure encounters less resistance from the lower jaw as stop pin 61 prevents the upper jaw from moving and so this pressure is transmitted through the lower jaw to the actuating arms 94 and 96, so that arm 96 moves forward, tending to overcome the tension in said spring 112 (Fig. 1).

It can be seen that the amount of pressure required to move the lower jaw 56, and overcome the tension in spring 112, can be varied by adjusting that spring at knob 116 (Fig. 1).

So as the bunch being formed in cage 16 reaches a predetermined density, the pressure exerted overcomes the tension in spring 112 and moves extension 103 slightly forward, releasing the trigger button 109, thereby opening contact a and closing contact b in switch 110 (Figs. 1 and 8).

The opening of contact a de-energizes a solenoid 50 supported by the bridge 52. This causes a gate 48, located in front of the feed rollers, to drop to feed table 10 to prevent the feeding of more tobacco. In this way, uniformity in the density of the bunch roll is assured.

The closing of contact b of switch 110 energizes a solenoid 51 which causes a conventional magnetic clutch 53 to engage with the main drive shaft 141 of the cigar machine. Clutch 53 by means of chain 57 is connected to a sprocket 118 on the cam shaft 108 whereby cam shaft 108 is driven (Fig. 8). The cam 106 secured on cam shaft 108 is provided with another cam track 120 which is engaged by a cam roller 121, carried by a stud on the free end of a cam lever 122. The other end of cam lever 122 is fastened to a shaft 124 supported in suitable bearings of side frames 26 and protruding from the sides of said frames. To a portion of the protruding ends of shaft 124 there are fastened two transfer arms 126 and 128 (Fig. 2).

After the bunch B has been completely formed in cage 16, it is transferred to the rolling apron R or binder applying station of the cigar machine through the combined actions of cage 16 'and transfer mechanism 18.

Transfer mechanism or bunch transfer 18 is carried.

on a horizontal shaft -130 which .issupported ;in suitable bearings at the free .ends of the vtransferarmis @1216 and 128 and protrudes through 31111.,128 .(Fig. 2).

The bunch transfer .18 consists in :part .of a deeply slotted U-shaped base .132 lclampedtor secured 'to shaft 130 and provided near the ends with .two lugs '133 and 134 (Fig. 2).

On the lugs 133 and .134 there ,arepivoted two transfer jaws 136 and 138,.one .on each side. of the base 132,. and coextensive with it. laws 136 and 13.8- are provided with a plurality of curved rake-like fingers 137 and 139 respectively, similar in formation to the fingers 60 and 66 of the bunch forming jaws andplaced to permit a combing or interfingering action with the bunch forming jaws during the process of transferring bunch B (Fig. 5).

The transfer .jaws 136 and 138 are connected on both ends to the bunch support 140 by means of snap toggles 146 and 148. Snap toggle 146 consists of two links pivoted together on stud 167 of bunch support 140. The other endsof the two links are secured on suitable studs of lugs 142 and 14-4 of transfer jaws 136 and 138 respectively.

In like manner, toggle 148-consis-ts of two links pivoted to lugs 143 and 145 on the other end of jaws 136 and 138 and on stud 169 of bunch support 140.. Both toggles 146 and 1.48 are provided with springs and toggle (148 has an extension149.

Bunch support 1401s slidably mounted in slot 131. As may-be seen, movement of the toggles 146 and 148simultaneously lowers bunch support .140 and closes transfer jaws 136 and 138, or raises bunch support 140 and opens transfer jaws 136 and 138. Moreover, either of .these movements is accomplished with a snap due .to the toggle action.

Attached to one end of cage 16 there is a lock member 49 shaped to form the contours of cage 16 when itis in the-bunch formingposition. Lock member 49is secured to bar 62 of upper jaw 54 and is pivoted on hinge pin'58. The free end of lock member 49 is formed to engage cut-out portion'93 of actuating arm 96when the cage is in the bunch formingposition as shown in Fig. 6 As actuating arms 94 and.96 swing cage 16 from the bunch formingposition lock member 49. causes upper jaw 5-1 to follow lower jaw'56 until the rotating movement allows lock member 49 to become disengaged from cut-out portion 16 of arm96 as shown in Fig. 4a.

At this point in the movement ofcage 16,.the upper jaws 54 strike the arresting .pin 55 protruding from bracket.28. The continued rotation of lower jaws 56 about hinge 58 opens the .cage 16, permitting said cage to discharge its contents. Simultaneously with this movement of cage 16,'the bunch transfer 18 is raised by transfer arms 126 and 1128 from just beneath thecag-e 16 to a position where the transfer jaws will be within the open cage. This action is controlled by track 120 of cam 166 while the action ofcage 16 is controlled by track 107 of cam 186. Thus, the two relative. actions are accurately timed by the single cam 106.

The operation of the bunch transfer 18 is as follows: the cam arms 126 and 128 move the bunch transfer upward into descending cage '16. The toggle 148 strikes extension 151 of tripbracket 150 (Fig. '6), which is fastened on'one of the sideframes 26, causing the bunch support 14-0 to move. into slot'131 and transfer jaws 136 and 138 to close around bunch B. The bunch transfer 18 now descends, rotates 180, and discharges bunch B into the apron of the cigar in the following manner:

A small gearf152 isfastened to an extension of the bunchstransfer shaft 130 at the end adjacent transferarm 128. Gear 152 meshes with gear 154, which in turn meshes with gear sector 156 carried on an arm 1S8. Arm 158 is pivoted on shaft .124. An extension 159 of arm 158 carries a cam roller160 engaging cam track 161 of cam 162 also on shaft 108.

As soon as transferjaws 136 and 138 close around the apron.

'blli'lfih .B, transferarms 12.6 .and 12.8 andarm .158 .are caused to travela short .distance downward to clear fiflge 16 and lower feed roller The .bunch forming cage then makes its return tothe bunch forming position by means of actuatingarms 94 and 9.6. This causescontact .a to be closed .andcontact b to bejopened on switch 110.

At the same time, cam 164 mounted on shaft 108 is provided to actuate the switch 166 by means of cam follower .168, whereby current is maintained through solenoid 51 an-d'hence the rotation of shaft 108 will continue.

It is apparent from Fig. 8 that the closure of contact a results in the raising of gate 48 whereby more tobacco T maybe fed into cage 16, while the transfer mechanism continues its descent and discharge as follows:

The transfer arms .126 .and 128 and gear sector arm 158'having descended suificiently to allow transfer mechanism '18 to clear lower feed roller 14, transfer arms 126 and .128 now descend so as to overtake arm 158, causing meshinggears 154 .and 15?. to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5, whereby the transfer .mechanism 18 is simultaneously inverted and lowered.

As it reaches the bottom of its descent and the termination of its rotation, extension 149 of toggle 148 strikes a pin 155 on transfer .arm'128 causing transfer arms 136 and 138 to snap open and bunch support to move outwardly inslot 131 whereby 1bunch B .is deposited in The transfer mechanism then returns immediately, jaws open, to the intermediate top position whereupon the .cam follower 168 enters the low portion 1630f cam 164 opening contacts .cd of switch 166 (Fig. 8)-to complete the cycle.

What I claim is:

1. In a bunch forming mechanism .for a long filler .cigarmachine of. the type having a binder applying apron,

afeed platform; rotating'feed rollers .at the edge of said tobacco leaf; a composite substantially cylindrical bunch forming and measuring chamber;.said chamber having a longitudinal slot to receive said severed lengths of tobacco from said feed rollersso that they will pass within said chamber to coact with the interior thereof to form a vcoiled .rod; said chamber further having a movable section to permit removal of said coiled rod; and pressure activated means attached to said chamber to swing open said movable section.

2. In a cigar machine, closely spaced rotating rollers coacting to feed single tobacco leaves .edgewise and having a rotary cutter afl'lxed adjacent one end of one of said rollers to cut transversely predeterminedleaf lengths of'said tobacco leaves; opposed concave members, mounted .at'the discharge side of said rotating rollers and coacting to form a cylindrical chamber having a portion open to receive said out tobacco leaf lengths edgewise directly from said rotating rollersinto the interior of said chamber; and driving rolls in said cylindrical chamber to roll said tobacco leaf lengths into. a curled bunch.

3. In acigar bunch forming. mechanism for. long filler tobacco, a feed platform, at leasttwo coacting rollersat the edge of said platform mounted to feed a single leaf layer of tobacco; a rotaryknife on oneof said rollers to sever suitable lengths'of said tobacco; a substantially cylindrical chamber operatively mounted at the discharge side of said rollers; and said chamber having a longitudinal peripheral slot to receive said lengths whereby said lengths will be coiled within said chamber to form .a' substantially .uniform cigar bunch.

'4. In a cigar machine, a substantially cylindrical bunch forming chamber comprising a pair of jaw-like rakes hinged together at one side and forming an aperture at the other side; a rotary cutter located in front of said aperture; airoller conveyor contiguous and adjacent said 7 cutter suitable for conveying a stream of single leaf thickness across said cutting element through said aperture into said chamber; rollers adjacent said chamber mounted to engage said stream in said chamber between said jaw-like rakes to turn said stream upon itself to form a rolled bunch; a transfer claw, comprising fingers mounted to pass between the rakes of said bunch forming chamber to grasp said bunch; actuating arms mounted on at least one of the rakes of said chamber to swing open said rake; and means for activating said transfer claw and said actuating arms when said rolled bunch reaches a predetermined density.

5. In a cigar machine, a conveyor for feeding edgewise a stream of individual tobacco leaves; a cutting element transversely severing, during edgewise feeding, bunch length portions from each of said leaves; composite concave members coacting to form a substantially cylindrical chamber having a portion open to receive said severed portions fed edgewise from the forward end of said conveyor to turn said leaf portions upon themselves to form a substantially cylindrical rolled cigar bunch; actuating arms, the operative ends of which are mounted on at least one of said concave members of said chamber, to swing said member open; and a transfer claw to grip said rolled bunch and deliver it to the binder applying mechanism of a cigar machine.

6. In a cigar machine, the combination with a rotary conveyor for feeding tobacco leaves in a single thickness layer; of a rotary cutting element coacting with said conveyor to sever bunch length portions of tobacco leaf; of coacting jaw-like rakes forming a substantially cylindrical chamber; said cylindrical chamber having a longitudinal opening between said rakes to receive said severed portions of leaf tobacco from said rotary conveyor; of rotating rollers in the sides of said cylindrical chamber between the rakes of said cylindrical chamber at spaced points to assist said leaf portions in curling upon themselves to form a cigar bunch of predetermined density; of devices for activating said jaw-like rakes to open when said bunch is compacted to a predetermined density to discharge said formed bunch; and a transfer claw adapted to interfinger with said rakes to grasp said formed bunch just prior to the opening of the rakes to hold the bunch in curled conformation during transfer from said cylindrical chamber.

7. In a cigar machine, a conveyor adapted for feeding edgewise a stream of individual tobacco leaves; a cutting element transversely severing said leaves, during edgewise feeding thereof, to separate bunch length portions from said leaves; composite concave members coacting to form a substantially cylindrical chamber having a portion open to receive one by one said severed lengths fed edgewise from the forward end of said conveyor; rollers in the concave members of said chamber to rotate said leaf portions upon themselves to form a substantially cylindrical rolled cigar bunch; actuating arms, the operative ends of which are mounted on at least one of said concave members of said chamber, to swing said member open for removal of said rolled bunch; and a gate operatively mounted in front of said feeding conveyor to obstruct the said edgewise feeding when said concave member is open and said cylindrical chamber nonoperative for receiving tobacco leaf portions.

8. The combination with a cylindrical chamber, of devices for transversely severing predetermined bunch length portions from individual tobacco leaves of various lengths and advancing said portions one by one into said cylindrical chamber, rolls in said chamber to rotate said leaf portions therein to form a roll of filler tobacco, and means for removing said roll when it has been compacted to a predetermined density and depositing it in the binder applying means of a cigar machine.

9. The combination with a cylindrical chamber, of a corrugated cutter adapted for severing bunch length portions having corrugated ends from individual tobacco leaves only and advancing said portions edgewise in a single layer stream into said cylindrical chamber, rolls in said chamber to rotate said leaf portions therein to form a roll of filler tobacco, means for removing said filler roll when it has been compacted to a predetermined density and depositing it in the binder applying position of a cigar machine, and a gate operatively mounted in front of said advancing devices to prevent the feeding of said tobacco leaves when said cylindrical chamber is inoperative during the process of removing said tobacco roll.

10. In a cigar machine, a conveyor for feeding tobacco leaves in a single thickness layer; a composite cylindrical measuring chamber operatively mounted and adapted to receive a stream of single leaf portions of tobacco from said conveyor into the interior of said chamber to form a rod-like roll or bunch of said leaf portions; said chamber having walls formed of spaced ribs; bunch driving rollers between said ribs in said chamber to rotate said roll; said chamber further having a section of wall movable to open said chamber; yieldable arms supporting said movable wall section of said chamber to yield when said bunch reaches a predetermined density; a drive mechanism; a device co-acting with at least one of said yieldable arms to activate said drive mechanism when said arms yield; and a transfer mechanism to convey from said chamber when open said completed bunch in its curled conformation to the binder applying position of a cigar machine; said transfer mechanism having fingerlike gripping members constructed and arranged to interfinger with the ribs of said chamber; said drive mechanism operatively connected to said arms and said transfer mechanism to drive said arms to open said chamber when said bunch reaches said predetermined density and to move said transfer mechanism into said chamber to grip said bunch.

11. In a bunch forming mechanism for a cigar machine, rotary feed rollers suitably mounted to feed tobacco leaves delivered thereto edgewise one by one; a guide member; a rotary knife spaced a predetermined distance from said guide member and associated with said feed rollers to sever end portions from said tobacco leaves of a length established by the said predetermined distance said knife is spaced from said guide member as said tobacco leaves are fed through said rollers; a substantially cylindrical chamber; said chamber having a slot to receive into said chamber said portion of tobacco leaves fed from said rotary feed rollers; a guide member extending from said feed rollers to said slot thereby affording guide means for said portions in moving from said rollers to said slot; rolls in said chamber to turn said portions on themselves to form a rolled cigar bunch; a yieldable wall portion forming a part of said chamber; an arm connected to said wall portion to move it to opened and closed position, drive mechanism operatively engaging said arm to move the same to open said wall portion, yieldable means urging said arm to close said wall portion, said yieldable means yielding when said bunch reaches a predetermined density, and a trip on said arm to activate said drive mechanism when said arm moves against the action of said yieldable means whereby said drive mechanism will operate said arm against said yieldable means and open said wall portion.

12. In a bunch forming mechanism for a cigar machine, a pair of rotary feeding rollers mounted to feed tobacco leaves delivered thereto edgewise one by one, a rotary knife associated with said feed rollers to sever end portions from said tobacco leaves as they pass edgewise through said rollers; a substantially cylindrical chamber; said chamber having a slot to receive into said chamber said severed portions of tobacco leaves fed from said rotary feed rollers; a curved guide from said feed rollers to said slot to define with one of said feed rollers a narrow channel to guide single leaves from said feed rollers into said slot, and means in said chamber to rotate said severed end portions into a rolled cigar bunch.

13. A machine for forming rolled cigar bunches comprising means for feeding single tobacco leaves individually edgewise, means for severing transversely only therefrom bunch length portions, means for rolling saidv portions edgewise upon themselves to form a rod-like roll and rolling portions of tobacco leaves upon said roll to form a laminated cigar bimch of a predetermined size and density.

14. The combination with a chamber, of means affording support for the major length of whole tobacco leaves whereby said leaves may be advanced sidewise, means severing said advanced leaves transversely to define bunch lengths, said severing means constituting the sole means for severing a leaf to define bunch portions of said leaves, rolls having a portion thereof in said chamber to rotate said leaf portions therein to form a roll of filled tobacco, and means for removing said roll when it has been compacted to a predetermined density and depositing it in the binder applying portion of a cigar machine.

15. A method of forming rolled cigar bunches by feeding single whole tobacco leaves edgewise and transversely severing therefrom bunch length portions, spirally rolling single portions edgewise upon themselves to form a rod-like roll, and spirally rolling one by one, other of said portions upon said roll to form a laminated cigar bunch of predetermined size and density.

16. A method of forming a rolled cigar bunch suitable for selective blending by feeding individual tobacco leaves sidewise, cutting said leaves transversely and advancing said cut leaves sidewise to provide a stream of single layer thickness of bunch length portions, rolling said stream of single leaf thickness from the uncut edge to form a spirally laminated bunch of uniform size and density wherein each continuous severed portion of leaf is spiralled about other continuous severed portions of leaf, and transporting said cigar bunch in its rolled condition to the binder applying mechanisms of a cigar machine.

17. A method of selectively positioning cigar leaf portions as desired in a rolled cigar bunch by severing bunch length leaf portions measured from the tip of a leaf and positioning said severed portions with their uncut sides in side-by-side relation and rolling edgewise said portions upon themselves to form a cigar bunch of uniform size and density wherein layers are formed having a single continuous severed portion of tobacco leaf extending the length of said bunch.

18. A method of forming a rolled cigar bunch by consecutively feeding individual tobacco leaves in sidewise relationship, of transversely severing bunch length portions from said leaves and repositioning the remaining portions for a similar severing operation, and rolling a stream of severed portions upon themselves to form a spiraled laminated cigar bunch compacted to desired density and positively preventing the loosening of said formed bunch during transfer to wrapper applying means.

19. A method of forming a bunch comprising the step of supporting a major portion of a tobacco leaf while moving it transversely of its major axis, receiving a portion of said leaf while transversely cutting the same to provide two portions thereof, confining one of said cut portions while moving the same in an arcuate path and while applying force thereto to retain said portion within said path, repeating the same operation on a portion of a leaf, and continuing said operations in the same sequence on other portions of a leaf until sufiicient tobacco leaf portions have been placed in association with each other to define a bunch, and removing said bunch to another location.

20. A method of forming a blended long filler cigar bunch by transversely severing by machinery bunch length portions one by one from individual tobacco leaves of desired blend, immediately after said severing operation rolling by machinery said portions with the uncut sides sidewise upon themselves to form a laminated and substantially uniform bunch of substantially predetermined size and density, and maintaining the orientation of the cut edges of said leaf portions so that the previously adjacent cut edges of previously adjacent portions of a leaf are always at substantially opposite ends of the bunch.

21. A tobacco rod-like roll comprising leaf portions having one or more mechanically severed edges, said leaf portions being each in a layer in arcuate relation to an adjacent leaf portion with the severed edges thereof in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of any of said leaf portions and suflicient of said leaf portions being in nested concave relation to each other to define a bunch, each severed edge of a layer derived from a previously severed cut leaf being in opposite relation to the other edge of said cut of said leaf.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 393,726 Smith Nov. 27, 1888 393,727 Smith Nov. 27, 1888 437,328 Boehm Sept. 30, 1890 451,739 Peck et al. May 5, 1891 911,756 Prescott Feb. 9, 1909 1,142,164 Hammerstein June 8, 1915 2,292,420 Wheeler Aug. 11, 1942 2,378,133 Durning June 12, 1945 2,378,921 Gladeck June 26, 1945 2,470,766 Durning May 24, 1949 

